Muslim Basketball

Just keep rolling. Would really liked to see them have to deal with Popal, but they were able to dispose of the shorthanded squad after a competitive first half. They find ways to get it done, another big time game from Patrick -  he’s making 30 point games seems pedestrian at this point.

Another dominant game from Ameer, Farzad had the 3 ball working, and the team defense stifled the entire Granada attack. If they can play this level of defense, they have as good a chance as any to make another deep run. Salman does his thing down low, seemingly never gives up and offensive rebound or misses a putback. Fahad was quiet, but still found a way to leave his fingerprint on the game. We know this team inside and out, we’ve seen what they’re capable of.

Not the best of first halves, followed it up with a dominant effort in the second. If I recall, Fez only scored 2 points in the first 10 minutes of the second half. By no means is Fez a great team, but holding any team to just a couple points across such a long spread is a tremendous defensive effort. Offensively, they’re just so talented. The entire lineup can score on their own, when they play as a unit they are even more effective. It’s no fluke that they have put up 76 and 75 in their first two games played. 

Really balanced and team oriented offensive attack. Big time shooting performance from Idris who lead the way with 18 on 6 made 3s. Underwhelming stat line from Zain, who actually impacted the game FAR more than what the stats tell. He did a great job competing with Pete Brown on the defensive glass, made every post up attempt difficult, and kept Pete from clearing out the lane - really terrific effort that can’t be captured fully by the stats. Islamabad played a great game, my only concern is if they can play better. They beat a shorthanded Mombasa team that really comes to play in the playoffs. I’m not sure if I love this team against the rest of the top 3, but they have three convincing wins and are worthy of a top 4 spot. 

Slight pass because no Raza, very slight pass. Pete’s been a monster thus far and he looks like he’s going to produce more and more as the weeks progress.

Oh yes I did. One word: Muj. They have some role players and a under the radar newcomer in Shafic Itani. Add Mujtaba to that and they’ll challenge anyone. What they did to Cordoba was no fluke.

They Abdelhadi bros outscored Alexandria on their own. This team is quietly very good. Another one of those teams that have some solid pieces around one of the best players to ever play in this league. They’re a top team on both sides of the court, dominant rebounders, and shoot a high percentage.

They didn’t look like they really wanted to play defense, add to that Nick shooting 3/16 from deep and the door was open for Baghdad to grab this one. They get lazy sometimes on defense, even though they don’t necessarily give up many points, they give up critical points at times. I expect them to play better than this the rest of the way, also, Nick isn’t shooting 3/16 again any time soon.

Solid game, did what they should to one of the worst teams in the league. Still, Aymen and Aytac don’t scare me tooooo much. They have a good group, but someone is going to have to really step up and be the guy when they start playing stiffer competition.

Really disappointed in this loss. I really like what this team had going for them, but they got outworked by a much smaller team. I know Timbuktu had Mujtaba, but Cordoba’s size alone should’ve gotten them this one. Kenny’s 3 point trigger is as green as anyone in this league and when it falls, all is well, but when it doesn’t, Cordoba gets caught in this up and down small man’s game that they aren’t well suited for. Luke couldn’t convert some easy ones which let Timbuktu run. They need to get into a more inside-out playing style. Also gave up waaaay too many easy baskets from simply not matching up in semi-transition. 

Here we go again? The champs looked good for the first two weeks, but then broke down defensively and got stifled by Dhaka’s zone. So inconsistent, but they know how good they can be. They won’t be surprising anyone this season, so they need to bring a much more elevated level of focus week in and week out. Teams will give them their best shot, they better be ready to punch back.

Didn’t face the complete Tehran squad (they played with 5+, not sure why stats only showing 4), but nevertheless, OQ came to play. Vintage Omar Qasem performance, working the low block, hitting a couple threes, outworking the bigs, and just overall dominant. If he can do that while Anas Najib is also on the floor, thats a pretty terrific duo.

Crazy double OT thriller that ended with Kareem Ahmed knocking down two free throws to end the second overtime. Someone gotta get this guy a joker mask or something, for some reason it seems like he’s the most hated on player in this league. Dude’s shown for a couple seasons now that he can ball - give him his respect.

This group just makes me feel uneasy at times. I don’t know where they scoring comes from if there’s no Mo Amin. Even when he shows up, at times he’s not really effective. They need Yaqoob or Mo to have big games week in and week out, but their team defense is good enough to take some pressure off of the offense.

Heroic effort from Moayad to show up after halftime and get his group the MUCH NEEDED win. Not sure if they get this one without him. I’ll say this every week until they live up to the potential, they should easily be a top 10 team. They have some monsters down low and some terrific guard play. Not sure whey they cannot figure it out.

Stole this one from a better Beirut team. Caught them napping. Amir’s a solid scorer, they get point here and there all around. Don’t sleep on this group.

I don’t see this team winning more than 5 games without adding Adam Froogh. They need someone to play some defense. They gave up 61 in the return of their best defensive player and without their laziest defender (yes Ed, you don’t play any defense.)

They have a good team, but they all have to show up before taking them seriously.

They’re loosing because Muhammad Abdelghani is 2/2 from deep on the season but doesn’t touch the ball. Get this man the ball! 

The best of the worst.

At least they played one good half.

They play defense, just have absolutely no scoring ability.

Only team with less scoring ability that Sana’a.

Rock bottom for a once very promising group.